Blog.

What follows is an op-ed by Friends Executive Director Margaret Frisbie that was published online by the Chicago Sun-Times on May 2, 2019. The piece appeared in the Sun-Times' print edition on May 7, 2019.

Since Monday, millions of gallons of combined sewage and stormwater have been discharged into the Chicago River system from at least 85 locations throughout Chicago and Cook County, the result of our recent heavy rains.

This toxic mess introduces bacteria, viruses, garbage and industrial and commercial chemicals into the river. It is devastating to aquatic life, including the more than 70 species of fish that have no way to escape the pollution.

Our group, Friends of the Chicago River, has called on Mayor-Elect Lori Lightfoot to take on this problem of Combined Sewage Overflows directly and establish a policy of zero tolerance for sewage and litter in the river. This is a big promise and a long-term commitment that will require thoughtful, detailed and comprehensive planning and cooperation across county and municipal boundaries.

Yet, we know it is achievable and must be done if we want to follow federal law and make the river safe, clean and accessible to the millions of people who live here and the wildlife that depends upon it.

To achieve this goal, we call on Lightfoot to co-sponsor the development of a watershed-based regional green infrastructure plan. By working together with other municipalities, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Chicago Park District, and other public and private land holders, we can used nature-based solutions to eliminate sewage and litter in our rivers. We can create wonderful, magical places that provide critical wildlife habitat, public open space and recreation opportunities while making our region more resilient to climate change.

Capturing stormwater in nature-based ways prevents litter from washing off our streets and allows rainwater to seep into the soil instead of into the sewer system — reducing flooding and basement back-ups too.

This year, Friends is celebrating its 40th anniversary and we are proud of how much healthier the river is after decades of effort. An ever-increasing community resource, the river is alive with fish, beavers, muskrats and turtles and tens of thousands of people hiking, biking, paddling, fishing, dining, working, living, or just hanging out.

But we know that we are not finished bringing our river back to life. We ask our incoming mayor to capitalize on the momentum by calling for an end to sewage and litter in our river for the benefit of us all.

Friends of the Chicago River is the only organization solely dedicated to the Chicago River system.

Since 1979, Friends has been working to improve the health of the Chicago River system for the benefit of people and wildlife and by doing so, has laid the foundation for the river to be a beautiful, continuous, easily accessible corridor of open space in the Chicago region.